{"id":5511,"date":"2012-02-08T05:21:13","date_gmt":"2012-02-08T05:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/anymoon.com\/blog\/?p=5511"},"modified":"2014-07-11T06:13:45","modified_gmt":"2014-07-11T06:13:45","slug":"matchbox-playmates-veritech-hover-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anymoon.com\/blog\/?p=5511","title":{"rendered":"Matchbox Playmates Veritech Hover Tank"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Review: Robotech: The Masters did too have merchandise!
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Packaging & Extras: <\/strong>(2\/5)
\nThere are two versions of this toy; one released by Matchbox in the mid 1980s as part of the original Robotech line of toys and a second one released by Playmates as part of the ExoSquad\/Robotech cross-branded reissues of the original Matchbox toys.\u00a0 Both toys come in large boxes devoid of flip-top collector’s lids with cut cardboard reinforcements, instructions, and stickers.\u00a0 You do not get the Dana Sterling action figure meant to go with the toy or really any other extras\/accessories for that matter.\u00a0 The main cannon from the Guardian mode (aka Flea-hopper mode) separates to become a handheld gun in battloid mode.\u00a0 For the Playmates reissue the instructions got an updating and show off how ExoSquad figures can use the hover tank.<\/p>\n

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Charm & Collectability:<\/strong> (4\/5)
\nIt may not have diecast metal, it may not achieve all three modes of transformation, but this toy still represents the pinnacle of Robotech: The Masters merchandise (it was never sold under the Southern Cross name).\u00a0 Masters fans have it tough and word has gotten out that this is the best Hover Tank they’ll ever see so they’re still willing to spend a pretty penny for them on the secondary market.\u00a0 Had this toy actually transformed into tank mode it might have really been something.\u00a0 The sheer size of this toy also makes it a sought after collectible for classic Robotech fans as any classic collection seems like it has a big hole without this behemoth.<\/p>\n

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Sculpt, Detail, & Paint:<\/strong> (6\/10)
\nColor me generous, you should, but since no other toy has come along to show us just how much better a Hover Tank toy can really be I’ve decided to leave this score just a bit shy of average.\u00a0 It’s not pretty but it’s a fair likeness.\u00a0 The Playmates release has a speckled black finish that was meant to simulate weathering and battle damage but it’s very ‘meh’.\u00a0 Much of the trim is included as stickers which don’t have the speckle effect\u00a0 so you can imagine the conflict that would cause on a fully decaled toy.\u00a0 There are faint panel lines on some parts of the toy and some molded in detail but by today’s standards it looks very large and plain. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen line art of a hover tank in battloid from behind so I’m not sure how egregious the giant low-hanging diaper effect is.<\/p>\n

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Design:<\/strong> (4\/10)
\nIt’s a genuine shame that Matchbox couldn’t figure out a way to get a toy they were selling as a “Hover Tank” into the TANK mode.\u00a0 I was a bit impressed at how well the toy managed the two mode transformation but that’s mostly because of my ground-level low expectations.\u00a0 The swapping out of the main cannon into a hand gun probably deserves a demerit but it’s hard to say it wasn’t a conscious decision by the way it was implemented.\u00a0 You can fit Dana into the toy in battloid mode but it seems that’s a happy happenstance rather than a feature by design;\u00a0 Dana doesn’t even fit in her flea-hopper chair very well.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some of the transformation mechanisms are reasonably hidden and while the toy leaves a lot to be desired there are just enough hints at how good of a toy it could have been if someone had cared just a little more.<\/p>\n

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Durability & Build:<\/strong> (7\/10)
\nThe main problem I have with this toy is a problem I have with numerous toys of the era: things just don’t fit together as well as they should.\u00a0 You’ll probably notice in my Guardian mode pictures that parts aren’t lined up perfectly but believe me, it wasn’t for lack of trying.\u00a0 From my experience handling it, the toy felt really solid with nice clicky joints (although not enough clicks between natural positions).\u00a0 Had I not seen a Robotech promotional video where a man accidentally snapped his Hover Tank in two I might be led to believe this toy has above average durability.\u00a0 As it is, I’d advise you exercise a little bit of patience but otherwise you should be fine.\u00a0 When buying these toys second-hand, be on the look out for yellowing and missing cannon\/gun parts.<\/p>\n